The Lebanese financial system continues to show resilience, according to the vice governor of the Central Bank, who said foreign reserves have reached $36 billion.

“The Central Bank has mastered the global rules of the game and deepened the sector’s immunity to the repercussions of the ongoing financial crisis,” Haroutioun Samuelian said during a graduation ceremony in Tripoli, north Lebanon.

Samuelian said the ongoing positive results of the sector have increased international trust in Lebanese financial institutions and made available the funds necessary to induce the economy.

“The Lebanese financial sector is safe, thanks to measures taken by the Central Bank. Banks have also raised the [Capital Adequacy Ratio] to 12 percent in compliance with Basel III standards,” he said.

Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh said last year that Lebanese banks would come into full compliance with Basel III recommendations three years in advance of the final deadline.